Top 5 Benefits of PRK Laser Eye Surgery

PhotoRefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is the original form of laser eye surgery, having been performed in Australia since 1991 with the development of the excimer laser. PRK is versatile and is often a fallback procedure when other laser eye surgery methods are not possible. It is also cost-effective and, with the newer TransPRK treatment, is a procedure that does not require instruments to touch the eye during the laser treatment.

Many people opt for newer procedures such as LASIK and SMILE, mostly due to their faster recovery times. However, when researching your laser eye surgery options, PRK should not be discounted. If PRK is the only treatment available to you, it is worth understanding its potential benefits compared with other procedures. When considering laser eye surgery in Australia, it is important to look at the options available and how they may affect your overall eye health.

The top 5 potential benefits of PRK include:

1. PRK may be suitable for people with thin corneas

PRK is sometimes the only laser eye surgery option available for a particular patient. If you have thin corneas, SMILE and LASIK may not be possible. PRK can correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism, depending on your individual prescription and clinical suitability, whereas SMILE has different treatment indications.

2. PRK may suit people who play contact sports or have physically demanding professions

PRK does not create a corneal flap, which may make it a consideration for people competing in contact sports or those with physically demanding professions, such as the military. The LASIK procedure creates a corneal flap, which carries a risk of complications following significant trauma to the eye.

3. PRK may have a lower risk of dry eye in some patients

PRK affects the cornea differently from LASIK. It may be associated with a lower risk of certain dry eye symptoms for some patients, although this varies depending on individual circumstances. Dry eye can occur after laser eye surgery, so your eye surgeon should assess your eyes and discuss how each procedure may affect your overall eye health.

4. TransPRK does not require instruments to touch the eye during laser treatment

TransPRK (transepithelial PRK) follows a similar approach to regular PRK, but a laser removes the surface layer of the cornea before reshaping the tissue underneath. With the SCHWIND AMARIS 750 laser, this can be performed without using a blade or alcohol to remove the surface layer. However, this does not mean the procedure is risk-free or necessarily safer for every patient.

5. PRK may be a cost-effective option

PRK can cost less than other laser eye surgery methods, although the cost of laser eye surgery can vary depending on the clinic, treatment plan and individual needs. For some people, the lower cost may make PRK worth the cost, particularly when it is clinically suitable. However, price should not be the only factor when choosing a procedure.

PRK has a longer recovery period than LASIK or SMILE in many cases. The eventual quality of vision can be comparable for appropriately selected patients, but results vary. People considering laser eye surgery should weigh up the potential benefits, risks, recovery time and cost before making a decision.

Take the next step

Some people choose PRK based on price or medical advice that it may be better suited to their lifestyle, career or budget. Others may be comparing surgery with continuing to use glasses or contact lenses. If you currently wear contact lenses, an assessment can help determine which options may be suitable for your prescription and eye health.

Envision Eye Centre offers different forms of laser eye surgery, including TransPRK. We provide patients considering laser eye surgery with an assessment to help them understand their options before deciding whether to proceed. Our team explains the procedures and helps you discuss which option may be appropriate for your eyes and vision.